The Once Upon a Castle podcast welcomes Disney historian and storyteller Michael Holland, author of The Year Before Disneyland and host of From Out of the Past at Holland Imaginarium. Holland shares how growing up immersed in classic Hollywood shaped his approach to Disney history, including focusing on “facts versus truths” and highlighting Roy Disney’s crucial role alongside Walt, whose TV presence made him the public face as “Uncle Walt.” He recounts early family trips to Disneyland, his love of the Jungle Cruise (including favorite jokes and its evolving live-skipper format), and how curiosity and research deepen park visits. Holland explains how his book and podcast examine July 1954–July 1955 as a period when Disneyland was built alongside major studio milestones like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Lady and the Tramp, the first TV series, the Davy Crockett phenomenon, distribution changes, and hotel plans, emphasizing Disney’s perseverance. The episode closes with where to find Holland’s work and a teaser for the podcast’s next Bayou Country series.

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BUY HERE: “The Year Before Disneyland” https://themeparkpress.com/products/the-year-before-disneyland?_pos=1&_psq=the+year&_ss=e&_v=1.0 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-out-of-the-past/id1709872451